P2Y purinoceptors in normal NIH 3T3 and in NIH 3T3 overexpressing c-ras

The ability of purinergic agonists to induce Ca2+ responses has been tested in two lines of murine fibroblasts: normal NIH 3T3 fibroblasts and NIH 115.14, a clone expressing high levels [1] of the c-ras protooncogene. Both kinds of cells are responsive to ATP in the range 1 microM-1 mM; ADP and ATP gamma S are almost as potent as ATP, while AMP is unable to elicit a response. Ca2+ measurements performed in single cells by image analysis show great variability among cells but in each individual responding cell the Ca2+ rise occurs in an all-or-none fashion. The transient Ca2+ response does not depend on influx from the extracellular medium. Electrophysiological experiments reveal the activation of an outward current (at -50 mV) by ATP, probably due to Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels, confirming the absence of a substantial Ca2+ influx. Finally, stimulation by ATP produces a small but significant increase in the production of inositol phosphates. These results indicate that these cell lines possess purinergic receptors which are not integral membrane channels and which are coupled to InsP3 formation and may be therefore classified as P2Y.